Pamban ship channel

The stage is set for digging a ship channel near Pamban to provide direct shipping connectivity between the Ports in North Tamil Nadu coast with the ones in southern coast of the state without having to circumnavigate through international waters along Sri Lanka.

VOC Port has been entrusted Madras based Indian Institute of technology to prepare a detailed project report  to enable a medium sized ship of 35000 dwt to sail along the channel to reach Tuticorin port from Chennai saving considering sailing time. The project has significant national security aspect considering the increased presence of Chinese naval ships in the Indian Ocean region and a Chinese company controlling the Hambantota port.

Currently ships from Chennai have to go around Sri Lankan international waters to reach the ports in the west coast of the country because of the draft restrictions near Rameshwaram involving higher freight cost and longer haulage.

Under this project the primitive channel that existed during the British days between Mandapam and Rameshwaram islands is being deepened to provide 10 meters draft just below the newly constructed rail bridge. The scope of the study by IIT Madras  include charting out fresh navigation channel alignment, assess the quantity of sand to be dredged out and provide facilities for navigation of ships.

According to sources the detailed project report will be ready in the next six months and the VOC port has been provided with Rs 1.5 crores to conduct the studies.